ROCKY FUENTES VIES FOR OPBF TITLE TUESDAY IN JAPAN
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 07 Mar 2010
CEBU CITY -- 24-year-old Rocky Fuentes of Cebu will try to snatch the OPBF title from Masafumi Okubo of Japan at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan this Tuesday as the local crowd favorite Fuentes tries to take his share of the limelight from the talent-laden ALA Gym.
Fuentes, who has been side-stepped a couple of times for the opportunity to challenge Okubo's OPBF flyweight title, hopes that a win will open up more chances for him in the world stage.
"A win by Fuentes on Tuesday will enable him to crack at the world rankings," ALA Gym Vice-President Dennis Canete has informed. "So we'll see what transpires after that. I think Rocky is ripe to fight the elites of the division."
Fuentes (24-6-2, 15KO), who had impressed Interim WBA superfly champion Nonito Donaire, Jr after once serving as Nonito's sparring partner and who Nonito described as "a tremendous fighter with a lot of skills and power," has more quality fights than Okubo (16-2-1 5KO) and on paper is clearly the favorite.
"I've seen his (Okobu's) fights on tape and he throws a lot of punches," Fuentes said. "But I'm confident I can handle him."
Fuentes has been far removed from the December, 2003 incident where he knocked out his opponent, John Eman Juarez, unconscious, who later died in the hospital, and now appears ready to break into the limelight. A win on Tuesday is a step in the right direction.
Fuentes, together with Canete and trainers Edito Villamor and Joseph Baldago will leave Cebu today for Japan.
Rocky Fuentes works out at the ALA Gym Saturday. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 10 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025